Multiple switch



Filed Aug. 27, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l 31, 1950 5; DE CHAMPS 2,528,345

MULTIPLE SWITCH INVENTo/Q GONZAGUE .DE. CHAMPS Oct. 31, 1950 DE c s 2,528,345

' MULTIPLE swim-i Filed Aug. 27, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

GOA/2A c205 ae CHAN/D6,

' pensive construction.

7 Patented Oct.'31, 195( QUNIT-ED STATES mew OFFICE MULTIPLE swr'ron tion of France '1 vApplicationAugust 27,1946, Serial'No. 693,281 In'F1 J 1ccJu1y13,1943

' Section 1', Public Law 690, August 8,1946 "Patent; expires July 13, 1963 My invention relates broadly to electric circuit controllers and more particularly to a new type of multiple switch. e e

In radio equipments, frequent use is made of multiple switches of'the type known as the disk or wafer form, the principlefof which is well known and which may be described briefly as follows: arotor carrying one "or more contacts successively establishes an electric connection between one or more electrically conductive strips radially-'arrangedwith respect to sectors 3 Claims. (01. 200-11) 2, which has been cut out with fins 5, 3', 3", etc;

riveted on I and carrying on each face of the which are integral with a fixed part-(the stator);

This type ofswitch *oirers following advantages: a reduced size for a great number of contacts; thepossibility of effecting various electric combinations according to the number of sectors (the number of the strips remaining generally equal to 12); the possibility of short "circuiting the non-utilized strips; and an easy and-inex- On the contrary, it is possible to find in such switches the following defects: the drawback of having two contacts in series for one operating contact, which increases 'the probability of bad contact points; a rapid wear; insecure contacts in,the" course-10f time either after insufficient cleaning, or owing to a variation of the resilience of the strips, or for any other mechanical cause, such as seizing of the contact stud integral with the rotor'j'the impossibility of cleaning a dirty contact; a high capacitance between the'util ized strip and'the othergrounded strips, especiallywhen an arrangement is used, that provides for the short-circuitingof the non-utilized contacts;'the variation of the resistance, of the contact at a given position" when the control knob of the switch is turned in one or the other direction. v

The present invention provides a multiple switch based on a new principlewhich avoids the above-enumerated defects.

The new switch is represented in th'eaccom panying drawings, where Figure 1 is an elevation view perpendicularly to the rotation axis; Fig. 2 is a sectional view on this axis of the whole of the device; and Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 represent detailed elements of a modified form of switch control mechanism embodying my invention; Fig. '7 is an elevational view of a modified form of my invention embodying the elements shown in Figs. 3-6; and Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 88 of Fig. '7.

The multiple switch comprises the following parts: an insulating disk I, a thin metallic blank extremity thereof thepointed contacts 6 and 1, one on each face. In Figs. 1 and 7 of the total number of eight blades, sixare removed in order not to obscure the representation of themetallic blank .2 with fins 3, 3'; two blades only, 5 and 5', having been shown in the drawing. In the actual assembly eight blades similar to 5, 5 are provided. The control spindle 8 passes freely through disk 'I and carries a combiner consistmg'of an insulating thrust 9 adapted to press successively against springs 5, 5', 5", etc., when spindle .8 is rotated.

The springs 5, 5, 5", etc., are so curved before being mounted that when in place, contacts I, I, 1', etc., have to set against the metallic blank 4 which is fixed on an extra-thick portion surrounding the center of disk I blank 4 constitutes then a short-circuit for all the springs. On the contrary, when thrust 9 presses against one spring (for example against 5 in the arrangement shown), contact 6 presses against fin the same is elasticity deformed and bears afterwards on disk I. Thrust 9 is mounted on a springy blade 10 tending to press against the disk; the pressure. of the contact is determined by the strength of. this blade (taking into account, naturally, the reaction of strip 5). 'This construction provides for compensating for mechanicalqdefects that may have been caused by a faulty mounting, for instance an axle which is means of a suitable mechanical device not described herein; it permits of reducing to a minimum the wear of the switch.

Forpurposes of decreasing manufacturing.

costs the combiner consisting of thrust 9 may be replaced by an insulating roller 19 mounted on a blade 20, made of resilient steel cut out as it is represented in Fig. 3, and in side elevation in Fig. .4. Blade 20 is secured toblade l0 extending from hub 2| securedto spindle 8. Spin-.

dle 8 is ca'pable of axial movement as indicated by arrow A simultaneously with the rotation thereof. Fig. 4 shows the manner of providingtion of spindle 8. A click stop device of a con ventional type permits of fixing the positions of the multiple switch; when'the control spindle is rotated the roller passes and rolls on all springs. It Will be remarked'that there is no need of a precise stopping, for a small variation of the rotation angle of the thrust-or roller. will exert practically no influence on the'quality and capability of the contact.

In any case, it is obvious that the thrust or roller will have to pressagainst contact 6 or, if 7 it is not so, itwill have to be as close theretoi as'possible, so as to avoid any deformationfof the spring.

Figs. 7 and 8-show elevational and cross sectional' assembly views, respectively; of: the modi-' fied form ofg-my invention employing: the elements illustrated in Figs.-3- 6; "The roller l9 executes 360 of -movement' in. controlling the movement of the springs 5, 5', etc, with respect to contacts 6, 6', etc., andmetallic. blank 4.

According to the quality required for the. contacts and the utilization-considered, one may choose different modifications in the mounting for instance the fins 3, 3, etc., are silvered or evencarry riveted studs made of precious metals; or blank i is cutout in a star iorm. so as to give more elasticity to the standing-by contacts, this blank being or not silveredi or even pro;- vided with studs; or the pointed contacts '[are replaced by a simple incurvationof the springs 5, 5, etc. (Fig. 6); or the contacts 6; 6', etc.-, are replacedby a punching in the springs.

Of course it is possible to achieve electric comvof cleaning the contacts; and an easy mounting. v

While I have described my invention in certain preferred embodiments I realize that modifications' may be madeand I intend no. limitations upon my invention other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: 1. A combiner for selectively controlling predetermined electrical connections for the establishment of corresponding electrical contacts, comprising, a disk of insulation material, radially disposedfixed contact members arranged at circumferentially spaced intervals on said disk, the

, widths'of said contact members being substantially less than the spaced intervals therebe- .tween, mobile contact pieces consisting of resilient sheets fixed on one of their ends and disposed relatively to the fixed contact members to coact therewith, a central rotatable shaft, a resilient support fixed on said shaft, an insulating roller carried by said resilient support, the diameter. of the said insulating roller beingso selected that rotation of the said shaft starting at the moment that saidinsulating roller occupies a position inone ofthe saidspacedintere vals betweensaid contactfmembers causes said roller to mount .on-the next successive resilient contact-sheet, andin taking support against the edge of the latter efiectspa bending thereof whereby the'free end. of the said sheetis displaced-intonormal contact position with thecor- V respondingyfixed contact member, the contact binations at least as varied as with the type a little' precision; a small capacity between contacts (especially when use is made of the shortcircuiting blank); an extreme smoothness and easiness of manipulation inspiteof very high contacting pressures,- not dependingupon the elasticity of the spring, at least for-the operating contacts a reduced wear; the; possibility pressure being made-independent of the resiliency of the sheet. I

-2. A combiner as set forth in claim 1, in which the resilient sheets which. arenot in operation at a given moment are carried on a conductive crown serving to put them into short circuit.

3. A combiner as set forth in claim 1', in which the fixed contact members consist of short wings cut in a metal crown and folded to undergo resilient restoration when they are not in. operationinforming an angle with the plane ofthe crown, the normal contact position being located in the. plane of the crown.

GONZAGUE DE 'CHAMPS- REFERENCES CITED The following; references are of record'in the file-of this-patentz.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 105,697 Kidder July 26, 1870 523,865 ONeill. July 31, 1894 1,031,863 Palmer July 9, 1.912

1,092,266 Howe Apr.. 7, 1914 FOREIGN'PATENTS Number Country Date Switzerland Nov. 16, 1948 

